Abhishek Sharma's poor form raises questions over Sanju Samson's T20I omission

Abhishek Sharma, the left-handed opener for India's T20I team, has managed only 191 runs in his last 10 innings, prompting scrutiny over the team management's decision to persist with him while dropping wicket-keeper Sanju Samson from the squad for the recent Zimbabwe series.

Hanuma Vihari, an India batter currently out of favour, has voiced concerns about the perceived disparity in backing between the two players. Vihari highlighted that Samson, who led India to victory in the T20 World Cup with three consecutive match-winning knocks, was overlooked despite his recent contributions.

In contrast, Abhishek's performances have not met expectations, leading to questions about the rationale behind the selection. Vihari noted that before the World Cup, Samson had a poor run of five games and lost his place in the starting eleven. However, he made a comeback and was named Player of the Tournament. Meanwhile, Abhishek's runs in that same tournament were limited.

While Abhishek has shown promise in domestic cricket, his recent international form has been disappointing. The team management's steadfast support for him has been seen by some as unfair to Samson, who has a proven track record at the highest level.

It is worth noting that selection decisions are often based on a combination of factors including current form, team balance, and long-term planning. The Indian team management may be looking to groom younger players like Abhishek for the future. However, given Samson's recent match-winning performances, his exclusion has raised eyebrows among fans and critics alike.

As the T20I series against Zimbabwe concluded, the debate continues over whether the team is making the right calls in terms of player selection. The focus now shifts to the upcoming series and how the management addresses the concerns raised.